Very nice person who tries to make class interesting. There is a big project in which you choose a field site in the community and study people in the setting. For winter 2012, we had to relate it to justice. Be prepared to do a lot of work for this project. Otherwise, pulling off a B in the class was pretty easy as long as you put in the effort.

One of my favorite professors here at UCSB. He is incredibly understanding and will help you work through concepts that you are not sure about. His lectures feel inspiring, and the speakers he brings inform us of current-day issues in the system, which I hadn't known about. The workload is manageable, participation does matter, so make sure to go.

Interesting class material, but Dr. Rios is absolutely horrible at communicating. Never responded to urgent emails even after I spoke to him in class multiple times. Never graded any of the assignments we had 2x a week so I had no idea what my grade was or if I was doing the assignments well until the final grades came out.

I have never written a RMP post until meeting Dr. Rios. He's the most inspirational professors I have ever met. Not only is his past so moving, but he makes such an effort to connect to his students, something rare especially post pandemic. I feel like I have learned so much intrinsically rather than just going through the motions of the course.

Professor Rios is incredibly understanding and is an amazing lecturer. I have a lot of respect for him as a person but I took off a star as he is awful at communicating; no response to emails, miscalculated grades, and unclear grading criteria. Easy class, great professor but poor communication.

Rios really knows what hes talking about and is a great speaker. Theres disc posts every week a takehome midterm and final and a final paper. if you know what youre doing and turn in good work youll be fine. The only thing id critique is the horrible communication. I got my final grade but only the paper and midterm were graded on GS

Had to recalculate my own grade in order to receive the grade I had actually earned. Lack of communication, no transparency with grades or grading, the class by the end was frustrating, disheartening, and unfair. It was more difficult to get them to post the correct grade than it was to do the class itself. Wouldn't recommend

Professor Rios is great. He listens to student feedback and brings in people with amazing life experiences to share their stories. Mario the TA is fire.

This professor rarely came to class; his TA took over his class! Acts more like a celebrity than a professor. Says hes from the hood, but some of his stories dont add up. I have had professors more critical and radical than this vato! Take profe Soto that homie knows whats up!

Professor Rios rarely came to class. Our TA had to take over the class for most lectures because Rios was not there. He is not very accessible out side of class and does not listen to what students have to say. He seems more interested in his prestige and research. I do not recommend this class

I was so excited to take his class because I had heard many good things but now that I have taken it, I feel like the class did not meet my expectation. He is passionate about his work but rarely came to class which made me feel like I was wasting my time. All I'm saying is don't let the hype get to your head. There are better professors..

Cool professor & really cool guy, the grading is straight forward & he makes sure everyone does well on the midterm & final - gives us a cheat sheet. Extra credit opportunities were given. In the 1st half of the quarter the class was engaging but for some reason in the 2nd half he rarely showed up, we ended up watching 6 movies instead of lecture..

Rios is an amazing professor, not only is he funny but his life story is inspriring. This was the one class I was looking forward to going to every day. He helps you prepare for the midterm and final very well and is willing to answer any questions. He is respected and genuinely cares for his students success in life. Also, Bertin is the best TA!

Midterm, final & a paper. he let's you take a cheat sheet for the short answer exams. Super flexible on your paper topic. Very passionate & respected in his studies. Allows 3 absences.

By far the best professor I've ever had at UCSB. Really knows his stuff, is passionate, and really wants to help you learn it as well. He is the only professor where I have shown up to every class and actually paid attention the entire time. Would definitely recommend if there is a class with him.

Gives you the questions before the midterm and the topics before the final! Allows you to use a cheat sheet - very interesting class! Professor Rios allowed me to view things in a different perspective. Reading wasn't too bad, but sometimes annoying. Easy A overall.

Best teacher I've ever had and such an interesting class! Suprisingly I actually wanted to go to lecture. Definite must!

I cannot say enough about Rios. Best prof I have ever had and I will remember him for the rest of my life. He changed my idea of sociology, and I've never looked forward to going to lecture so much. He's is amazing. So smart, inspirational and just a stand-up guy.

Professor Rios teaches a really easy class, but his lectures and timing in which he teaches the content is so, so painfully slow. He is inspirational and everything that you would see in a good professor, but I feel like he taught in 5 weeks what I could have learned in one week. Otherwise, he's very passionate and easy to talk to. Easy A!

Enthusiastic about teaching. Pretty straight forward. Go to class and understand concepts and you will do well.

This has by far been my favorite class. Midterm and final are straightforward, I went to the reviews my TA held. I also did about 90% of the readings which was not too much but the material was kinda hard to understand. Still a great class, and I think he's a great prof.

My best prof in UCSB! Awesome, fun and easy.

Interesting materials, but lectures are unengaging because they are far too basic

Professor Rios has been my favorite professor thus far. I was in the honors section so I got to know him on a personal level and he's extremely enthusiastic and inspirational. He didn't try to be intimidating at all and always insisted that he learns as much from his students as they learn from him. He truly cares about his students!